Building: 880 Fifth Avenue

Designed by renowned architect Emery Roth and built in 1948, 880 Fifth Avenue was the first building to be completed on Fifth Avenue after WWII and the last of those designed by Roth. This tower is stylistically related to Roth’s building at 875 Fifth Avenue, across 69th Street, and to his earlier Normandy at 140 Riverside Drive. Unlike their descendants a decade and more later that used glazed white bricks, these all use buff colored bricks over limestone bases, a far more elegant solution. Of the numerous buildings Roth designed that face Central Park, 880 Fifth is arguably one of his most impressive works. It is the only twin-towered building on Fifth Avenue.

The apartment layouts also reflect the beginning of a new era in high-rise residential design. The apartments, which range in size from three to eight rooms, were arranged with a more open plan than was prevalent before the war. As in Roth’s earlier buildings, each unit was planned around an entrance foyer, but, at 880 Fifth Avenue, divisions between some rooms were eliminated. Each living room has a decorative fireplace, and the larger units have butlers’ pantries and one or more maid’s rooms. Nearly every apartment has double exposures to facilitate air circulation.

There are 162 apartments on 21 floors. Building amenities include three attended elevators, a garage available at a discount to residents, a state-of-the-art gym, a laundry room and private storage. Dogs and cats are permitted. Smoking is not permitted. Pieds-a-terre are permitted, and 50% financing is allowed. There is a 3% transfer fee payable by buyers.

The building’s location on Fifth Avenue between 69th and 70th Streets is among the most coveted addresses in Manhattan, directly across the street from Central Park and a short walk to all transportation, major museums, Madison Avenue shopping, and the finest restaurants.

Building Description Provided by Robert Rems